Working it out

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       In a recent bible study meeting on Philippians; written by Paul the apostle from a Roman jail during his first Roman imprisonment. The teacher highlighted Philippians 2:12 "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. KJV . This verse has been the source of, please excuse the pun, much " fear and trembling". Is Paul saying we need to be doing good works and keeping the law to have or keep salvation. Christians have taken this verse as a command to work, keep the law and be holy or lose their salvation. He says "your own salvation." One commentary used during the meeting explained that Paul does not say to work for your salvation but to work out the salvation that is yours.  He ordered believers to WORK OUT " exercise ,practice strengthen their  "SALVATION". He was doing that daily even while in prison. His words hold a warning that you can be saved and redeemed by Jesus but be underdeveloped. 

There are two terms commonly used in Christian nomenclature that apply here. They are "justification" and " sanctification". When a person accepts Jesus Christ as savior they are justified, the Lamb of God work gives his righteousness to the redeemed. They now posses a righteousness as a gift. The life long work is to become more like God by works this called "sanctification".  This topic is far to complicated to explain in a short blog post.  I would recommend the reader do their own personal study on this topic. 

No one want to have the words fear, trembling and works used with salvation. "The Greek words used here are one phobos in English fear or terror.  Secondly, is tromos in English  trembling and quaking (from fear) and last is is katergazomai in English work out , effect by labor, achieve, work out, bring about."  - Strong's Concordance.. What does a coach tell someone who is out of shape and wants to compete in a sport. The coach tell them they need to work out. Paul is saying the same thing. He also adds the attitude the person working out should take is one of fear and trembling because it is serious. 

How many of us really view the Christian life, walk and salvation as something  that requires labor. Labor and work outs to achieve a life and walk that is more like Jesus.  The attitude Paul says we should have is to fear of God and failing God by not becoming more like Jesus. He ordered Christians to keep living and work out the Christian life , whether he is there watching or absent. It easier to work out when you have a personal coach present but doing it when you are alone takes dedication. Paul orders them to do even more now that he is absent. This is said in different way in Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,  let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,"  NKJV endurance come from training which can be called working out.


Strong's Concordance

https://biblehub.net/searchgreek.php?q=work+out

By SS 

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